Wire pull-off for hay balers



R. J. GOOD June 15, 1954 III'II'III a w 4 I w E .0. R

w Www/47h June 15, 1954 R. J. GooD 2,68l,002

WIRE FULL-OFF FOR HAY BALERS Filed Jan. 3, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2'Illllll'| lU i W 'L3 z [[l P0858? Z' 600D June 15, 1954 Patented June15, 19534 WIRE PULL-OFF FOR HAY BALERS Robert J. Good, Hopkins, Minn.,assignor to Minneapolis-Moiine Company,

Hopkins, Minn., a

corpcration of Minnesota Application January 3, 1950, Serial No. 136,509

(Ci. iGO- 21) 11 Claims. 1

This invention relates generally to improvements in baling machines andmore particularly to automatic hay balers of the type disclosed andclaiined in co-pending application Serial No. 536,796 for EalingMachine, filed April 13, 1944, now Patent No. 2548,559, issued April 10,1951, and in which patent and the instant application there is a commonassignee.

The present application further relates to certain improvements over thesomewhat similar mechanism disclosed in co-pending application SerialNo. '705,716 for Wire Feed for Hay Balers, filed October 25, 1946, nowPatent No. 2,601l45, issued July 29, 1952, also to the same assignee.These related applications are directed to the solution of the sameproblem in the operation of automatic hay balers, which problem resultsfrom a tendency of the reciprocating baling plunger to impart such sharpmovements to the tying wires as either to break the wires or causeoverrunning of the Wire feed mechanism itself. In the previousapplication the wires were arranged over movable guide rollers in suchmanner that slack could be accumulated in the wire on the back stroke ofthe plunger, but I find that the movement of such guide rollers directlyby the plunger itself, as was disclosed in that application, is itselfso abrupt that difficulties are encountered. In accordance with theprimary object of my present invention therefore I employ similar guidemeans for the wires but move the same in response to the operation ofanother part of the machine in such manner as to obtain a more gradualacceieration of the movement and completely overcome any tendencytowards breakage of the wires or any other undesirable effects thereon.

It is, of course, necessary that the slack be developed in the wires intimed relation to the reciprocating movements of the plunger in orderthat the slack will be ready and waiting as the plunger moves on itscompression stroke into the baling Chamber, forcing the hay intocompacted condition and pulling off Wire from the Wire feed mechanism ofthe baler. In the machine here involved there is emboclied a packer headwhich has the function of packing hay into the chamber in advance ofeach compression stroke of the plunger and this packer head is arrangedupon an oscillating frame which operates in synchronism with the plungermovements, as is obviously necessary. As a further object of myinvention therefore I operate the Wire pull-off guide means or rollersby such oscillating movements of the packed head and embody in thelinkage connecting the rollers and the p-acker a swinging connectionwhich is so arranged as to cause the desirable gradual acceleration ofthe roller movement as has been previously described.

Still another object of my present invention is to provide means wherebythe amplitude of the guide roller movements may be readily regulated inorder to correspondingly regulate the amount of slacl: pulled off fromthe Wire feed mechanism for each cycle of operation. Such adjustmentsare advantageous in that compensation may be made thereby for heavy orlight crop feed rates and for the differing characteristics which may beencountered in the Wire used for tying.

These and other more detailed and specific objects will be disclosed inthe course of the following specification, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, in which- Fig. l is a plan view of a centralportion of an automatic hay baler of the type involved in this inventionand particularly illustrating the manner in which the tying wires arerun into the lbaling Chamber over the pull-off or guide rollers.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the central portion of the baler showingthe wire pull-off mechanism and its connections to the packer head andshowing the latter in its elevated position withdrawn from the ibalingchamber.

Fig. 3 is a similar View but showing the parts in the positions assumedas the packer head enters the baling Chamber in advance of the plungerand with the pull-off rollers moved to positions for drawing off slackfrom the wire feed niechanism.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view through the baling chamber andassociated parts and illustrating the baling plunger on its return orback stroke.

Fig. 5 is a similar view and showing the plunger upon its working orcompression stroke.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional detail view along the line 6 in Fig. 2.

Referring now more particularly and by reference characters to thedrawing, A designates generally the frame of the baling machine, whichis supported for. travel movement over the field upon Wheels B and hasmeans C' for picking up hay and depositing it through a feed opening Ddownward into a baling chamber E1 formed in the frame A. A balingplunger F is reciprocably mounted in the chamber E for periodic movementfrom a normal position forward of the feed opening D through a workingor compression stroke rearwardly into the baling Chamber E to therebyforce wads or bunches of hay received from opening D in a rearwarddirection and compress the hay into bales as will be readily understood.The bales are tied at vertically spaced points by encompassing wireswhich are fed into one side of the baling chamber through openings C+shown in Fig. 2, in which view the tying wires are also indicated atH-I-i'. While in Figs. 1, 3 and 4. only the uppermost Wire H appears, itwill be understood that the lower wire H' and all associated supplymeans therefor are identical to those now to be described for the upperWire H.

The Wire H is taken from a continuous length coiled upon a spool I andfed through an antibaclrlash mechanism J, and to and through a needle Khinged at L upon the adjacent side of the frame A. The Wire passing fromthe swinging end of the needle K is carried inwardly over a guide rollerM and at the outset of baling Operations is stretched directly acrossthe baling Chamber E over a pin N which forms part of a tying mechanism,designated generally at O. The tying mechanism holds this end of thewire and it will be understood that as hay is foreed into the Chamber bythe plunger F it will strike the wire where it traverses the balingChamber and will pull Wire through the needle K and mcchanism J from thespool I as required by the increasing length of the bale. When a bale ofthe desired. length has been accumulated, mechanism not important to thepresent invention, swings the needle K through the baling chambcr tobring a portion of the wire into overlapping engagement with the endheld in the tying inechanism O which then twists these overlapping wirestogether to complete the tying of the bale. The needle 'then returns tothe position shown in Fig. l leaving Wire stretched across the balingChamber ready for tying the next bale.

The mechanism thus far described is substantially identical to thatdisclosed in the prior patents hereinbefore identified and no furtherdescription herein is believed to be necessary. It will be understood,however, that each time the p'lunger F compresses and forces a wad ofhay into the baling Chamber, these wads, coming in contact with thetying wires, will pull the wires into the Chamber through the needles Kand mechanism J and from the spools I. It is found that there issufcient resistance through all of these mechanisms to so retard theadvanoe of the wires that the sharp jerks imparted thcreto each time theplunger approaches f the bale with a new wad of hay sometimes causes awire to be broken. This is of course extremely undesirable since it isthe purpose of these inventions to provide a baler capable of operationrapidly and efiectively without attendance of anyone in connection withthe tying of the bales.

The baler further includes an oscillating packer device or mechanism,clesignated generally at P, comprising a frame having side members Qwhich are fulcrumed at R upon uprights S secured atop the baler frame A.At the rear ends the side members Q carry the packer head properindicated at T, and the forward ends of the side members are connectedby a link to the pitman V which operates the plunger F. It will thus bounderstood that the rearward movement of the plunger F on its working orcompression stroke will pull the link U forwardly so as to eleva-te thepacker T, whereas the return motion of the plunger will elevate the linkU to thrust the packer head down through the feed opening E as shown inFig. 3. The packer head is thus thrust downwardly from its normalposition into the baling Chamber in advance of the plunger F in order topack hay or other material, received from the pick-up and feed mechanismC, into the Chamber and the movements of the packer head are obviouslytimed with reference to the reciprocation of the plunger.

The aforesaid guide roller M, and its corresponding roller M' for thelower tying wire, operate to pull out slack from the wires in accordancewith my invention and for this purpose the rollers are journaled uponupper and lower support bars I!! and H secured together in verticallyspaced relation as indicated generally at i and carried upon areciprocating rod IB mounted along the right hand side of the balerframe A. To slidably support the rod 13 I provide slide bearings Hisecured to the frame and the rollers M-M' are positioned adjacent and inhorizontal alignment with the openings G so that the wires may pass fromthe needles K forwardly and then rearwardly around the rollers into thebaling Chamber E. As best shown in Fig. l the tying wires form a loopbetween the rollers and the pins N so as to encompass the sides and rearend of the accumulating bale. ft will be apparent that each workingstroke of the plunger F Will lengthen the Wire in the loop around thesides and rear of the bale and the difiiculties which my invention solvehave arisen from the fact that this successive lengthening action on thewires has on occasion caused breakage or overrunning effects due to theabruptness with which the action takes place. The movable support forthe rollers M-M' as described makes it possible, however, upon eachreturn motion of the plunger to pull off wire from the needles so thatsufficient slack is provided to prevent these undesirable effects. Forthis purpose the roliers M-lvf' are moved forwardly a short distanoeupon each return stroke of the plunger and are then restored to theirnormal position leaving the desired slaclr in the wire from the ends ofthe needles to the rollers as will be understood.

In accordance with my invention I attach to the forward end of the rodE3 a yoke tting 15 having a tubular portlon E5 to accommodate the rod sothat it may be secured thereto by nuts i? as olearly shown in Figs. 2and 3. At its forward end the fitting has a Vertically elongated slot E3in which there plays a pin Hi extending inwardly from the lower arm 23of a bell crank lever 2! fulcrumed at 22 upon the baler frame above theforward end of the rod. This bell crank lever has a forwardly projectingarm 23 to which the lower end of a link rod 25 is pivoted at 25. Theupper end of the rod 24 may be pivotally attached at 26 to any one of aseries of openings 21 formed in the outer end 28 of a bracket 29 whichis secured by bolts 30 to one of the side members Q of the packer frame.

The bracket 29 has an L-shaped formation toV accommodate it to suchattachment, and the end 3! of the bracket fitted to the side frame Q maybe separated therefrom by a shim plate 32 in order to properly alignthis bracket structure with the bell Crank lever 2! as seen in Fig. 6.-

This linkage mechanism is thus so arranged that in the normal orwithdrawn position of the packer head T, which it assumes when theplunger F is on its compression stroke, the rollers.

M-M' Will be in their rearmost positions. This is, of course, due to thefact that the bracket 29 is attached to the packer frame forwardly ofits fulcrum point R and in such position of the packer the bell cranklever 2| Will be oscillated in a clockwise direction to thrust thesupport rod l3 rearwardly. Now as the plunger F moves on its returnstroke the link U will start the packer head downwardly to feed materialinto the baling chamber and the resulting upward motion of the forwardportion of the packer frame will exert a pull upon the link rod 24 suchas to oscillate the bell crank lever 2! in the opposite dircction andtowards the position of Fig. 3. Such motion of the bell crank lever Willcause its lower arm 2d to swing forwardly and the pin [9 playing in slot58 Will pull the fitting 15 and associated rod 13 forward so that therollers will pull off slack in the tying wires. The motion imparted tothe rollers and their support results from a swinging or arcuate travelof the bell crank l and thus there will be a gradual acceleration, ascompared to the more direct and reciprocating connection between thesupport and the baling plunger as disclosed in Patent No. 2.604,845.Thus I completely overcome the tendency of the pull-off mechanism itselfeither to break the wires or to pull them oif With such rapidity as tocause difficulties in the Wire feed mechanism per se. The slot lcompensates for the up and down motion of the pin 18 in translating theswinging movement of the bell crank lever to reciprocating movement ofthe support rod l3, While the provision of a series of openings 21 forthe attachment enables me to control the amplitude of the variouszno'tions involved and correspondingly reguiate the amount of slack Wirepulled off during each operation. For this purpose the openings 27 forattachment of the link rod are spaced apart With reference to the axisor fulcrum R upon which the packer swings, While the plate 28 is soangled with respect to the packer frame that these openings 21 stand ina substantially horizontal plane When the packer is in its Withdrawnposition as seen in Fig. 2. Thus changes in the position of the link rod24, to regulate the distance through which the rollers M-M' are moved,Will not substantially vary the normal position of the rollers as Willclearly be understood.

Inasmuch as the operation of the packer is synchronized with that of thebaling plunger it Will be evident that the pull-off operation may beaccurately timed so as to produce slack in the tying wires in advance ofeach working stroke of the plunger and it Will be clearly evident fromthe foregoing and from the drawing that the actuation of the pull-offmechanism of the packer enables me to obtain a gradual acceleration ofthe motion such as to completely overcome dificulties encountered Withthe previous mechanism.

It is understood that suitable modifications may be made in thestructure as disclosed, provided such modifications come Within thespirit and scope of the appended claims. Having now therefore fullyillustrated and described my invention, What I claim to be new anddesire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination of a hay baler having a baling chamber and areciprocating plunger therein, means for feeding a Wire into the chamberaround a bale as it is formed therein, and a packer device movable topack hay into the chamof the upper end of the link red 252- ber inadvance of the plunger; of a roller arranged to guide the Wire into thechamber, a movable support for the roller, and linkage connecting thepacker device and said support for moving the roller and pulling offslack in the Wire preliminary to reciprocation of the plunger.

2. The combination in a hay baler having a baling chamber and areciprocating plunger therein, means for feeding a Wire into the chamberaround a bale as it is formed therein, and a packer device movable topack hay into the chambei' in advance of the plunger; of a rollerarranged to guide the Wire into the chamber, a movable support for theroller, and linkage connecting the packer device and said support tomove the roller first in one direction to develop slack in the Wire andthen in the opposite direction to release the slack as the plunger movesinto the chamber.

3. In a hay baling machine having a baling chamber, a reciprocatingplunger in the chamber, a packer for packing hay into the chamber inadvance of the plunger, and means for introducmg at least one Wire intothe chamber and for stretching said Wire across the chamber to encompassthe bale as it is formed therein, guide means for the Wire entering thechamber, a movable support for said guide means, and means connect-mgsaid support and packer for operating the guide means to accumulateslack in the Wire prior to each Working stroke of the plunger.

4. In a hay baler having a baling chamber and a reciprocating plungerand a Wire supply for feeding a Wire into the chamber around a baleresponsive to the force exerted by the bale as it is accumulated bysuccessive compression strokes of the plunger, a packer movable towardand away from the chamber in synchronism With 'the plunger strokes, Wirepull-off means engaging the Wire between the Wire supply and chamber, amovable support for the Wire means, and means including a swingableelement for conneetnfi' the packer and said support to move the Wirepull-off means in advance of each compression stroke of the plunger andpull off slack in the Wire.

5. In a hay baler having a baling chamber and a reciprocating plungerand a Wire supply for feeding a Wire into the chamber around a baleresponsive to the force exerted by the bale as it is accumulated bysuccessive compression strokes of the plunger, a packer movable towardand away from the chamber in synchronism With the plunger strokes, Wirepull-off means engaging the Wire between the Wire supply and chamber, amovable support for the Wire pull-off means, means in-- cluding aswingable element for connecting the packer and said support to move theWire pulloff means in advance of each compression stroke of the plungerand pull off slack in the Wire, and means for adjusting the amplitude ofmovement of said swingable element to thereby regulate the length ofWire pulled off.

6. In a hay baler having a baling chamber and a reciprocating plungerand a Wire supply for feeding a Wire into the chamber around a baleresponsive to the force exerted by the bale as it is accumulated bysuccessive compression strokes of the plunger, a packer movable towardand away from the chamber in synchronism With the plunger strokes, Wirepull-off means engaging the Wire between the Wire supply and chamber, amovable support for the Wire pull-off means, a bell-crank leverconnected to said support, and a link connecting the lever to the packerfor moving the .Wire 'pull-off .means in synchronism With the plunger.

7. Ina hay baler having a baling Chamber and a reciprocating. plungerand a Wire supply for feeding a Wire into the Chamber around a baleresponsive to the force exerted by the bale as it is1accumulated bysuccessive compression strokes of the ,plung'en a packer movable towardand away from the Chamber in synchronism With the plunger strokesWirepull-off means engaging the Wire between the' Wire supply-and Chamber, amovable support for the ,Wire pull-off means, a swingable hell-Cranklever connected to the support,'abracket member on the packer, and alink Connecting the lever and bracket member for movingtthe Wirepull-ofi means in synchronism With the movements of the packer andplunger.

In a hay baler having a baling Chamber and a reciprocating plunger and aWire supply for feeding a Wire into thechamber around responsive to theforce exerted by the bale as it is accumulated by successive compressionstrokes of the plunger, a packer movabletoward and away from the Chamberin synchronism with the 'plunger strokes, Wire pull-off means engagingthe Wire between the Wire supply and Chamber, a

movable support for the Wire pull-off means, a sWingable bell Cranklever connected to the movable support, a bracket member Cn the packer,and a link connecting the bell Crank lever and bracket member for movingthe Wire pull-off means in synchronism With the movements of the packerand plunger, the said bracket member having a series of spacedconnections for connection of the link so arranged as to adjust themotion of the bell Crank lever and Wire pull-off means.

9. In a hay baler having a baling Chamber and a reciprocating plungerand a Wire supply for feeding a Wire into the Chamber around a baleresponsive to the forcev exerted by the bale as it is accumulated bysuccessive compression strokes of the plunger, a packer movable from anormal position toWard and away from the Chamber in synchronism With theplunger strokes, Wire pullof means engaging the Wire between the Wiresupply and Chamber, a movable support for the Wire pull-off means, aswingable bell Crank lever connected to the movable support, a braCketmember on the packer, and a link connecting the bell Crank lever andbracket member for moving the Wire pull-off means in synchro-niem Withthe movements of the packer and plunger, the said bracket member havinga series of spaced Connections for connection of the link so arranged asto adjust the motion of the bell Crank lever and a bale Wire pull-offmeans, and said connections on the bracket member being allsubstantially equidistant from the bell Crank lever in the normalposition of the packer so that such 'adjustments may be made Withoutthemselves substantially altering the position of the bell-Crankleverand connected pull-'off means.

19. In a hay baler having a baiing Chamber and a reciprocating plungerand a Wire supply for feeding a Wire into the Chamber around a baleresponsive to theforce exerted by'the .bale as it is accumulated bysuccessive compression strokes of lu, plunger, an oscillatable packerfor packing material into. the chamberinadvance of each compression'strokgcofzthe .plungen .Wire vpulleoiff means engagingl the vwireya*reciprocating suprifs'aid: Wire 'pull-'off means, a. bell Crank e'c'tedto said'support andioperative to .e-.the same and pull the Wire pulleoifma normalpositionto drawslacl; Wire pply and then return theWirepull-ioff vidinormal position, and a Connection ever and the packerfor swinging the ay baler having a baling Chamber and ting p'lunger .anda Wire supply for {ire'into the Chamber around a bale to the forceexerted by the bale as it 'lated by 'successive compression strokes ofthe plungenan oscillatable packer for packing material, into the Chamberin advance of each compression stroke of .the plunger, Wire pull-offmeans ag-ing the Wire, a -reciprocating support for salv Wire 4.pull-offmeans, a bell Crank lever connect d to said support and ope'rative toreciprocatet `.same and pull the Wire pull-off means from a;ormalpositionxto draw slackwire from the supply; and., then return theWire pull-off means `v, tosaLid lnormal position, and a Connectionbetween the lever. and' the 'packer for swinging the lev and means foradjusting said connection tojreg'ulat'e'the range vthrough which theWire Vpull 'ff means is reciprocated While leaving lposition'thereofunchanged.

the nor here ,nzffo'ites mnie nie of this patent UNITED sTATEs PATENTSvName Date 4Clark Aug. 4;, 1908 Jackson v Oct. 4, 1910 1,0085-67 v,YoungNov. 14, 1911 j,Wmgantv July 10, 1917` Freeman Aug. 27, 1918 `WygantJuly 8, 1919 :opluns l Apr. 21, 1925

